Balance, Balance, Balance...Does it Exist???

The other day I wrote a lengthy post about how to add at least 30 minutes to your day just by taking a few preparatory steps the night before.  So, I've got out everyone's clothes for tomorrow, ironed what needed ironed, the children are bathed, coffee is set for 5am and now I have 15 minutes to write this post, write two real estate offers for clients, and be in bed by 9pm.  Whew!  I better get going!

I don't think my life has ever been perfectly balanced, but I will say that it hasn't been as balanced as it is now for a long time.  Its hard work, this balance stuff!  When us women decided to burn our bras, did we really mean we wanted to work outside the home, inside the home, and all around the community working ourselves into big, incompetent-feeling stress balls?  I don't think that's what the feminist movement was really all about at all.

Having a career in real estate, two kids, a significant other, friends, family, clients, a real estate team, extended family...that's a lot of roles.  If I don't focus on balance at all times, something will suffer.  I'll be honest, sometimes things do go unattended, but you know what?  My world hasn't caved in, my family loves me unconditionally, I continue to learn, grow, and make new friends...I'm okay if something slips through the cracks b/c that's real life.  Things slip through the cracks.

Which leads me to the first major step in establishing balance...

1. Realize things will slip through the cracks and be okay with it.

That's part one of my Five Part Series on Balance.  Stay tuned for more simple tips to establish balance in your life!

      

 

I'm YOUR Indianapolis Real Estate Professional!

I do a lot of random blog posts...because that's what goes on in my head...a lot of random-ness!  Every now and then, though, I like to remind readers that I am in the real estate industry selling houses in the Indianapolis and surrounding areas. 

I was just discussing with a colleague what a volatile industry real estate is.  It is rough!  I started selling houses as a Realtor in Indianapolis right when the market was tanking big time.  People want to offer me their sympathies, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Everything happens for a reason and I've learned to work hard to get clients, to keep them, and to earn the right to ask for their referrals.

People who jumped in to this industry when the market was hot never learned how to do things like lead generate because they didn't have to.

I love this industry, I love helping my clients and the excited feeling people have at closing time...I love about everything this business of mine has to offer.  As my real estate team continues to grow, I continue to sharpen my leadership abilities, train leaders, and continuously look for talent.  If you or someone you know has thought about jumping into the real estate industry, I urge you to contact me to discuss further.
If you are already in the real estate industry and are looking for more, contact me right away.

Pass this post along to anyone you know who may be looking to get into real estate or make a change in their current real estate career.

Of course, I'm always looking for referrals and I'll never miss an opportunity to ask...

When you come across someone looking to buy, sell, invest, or become a real estate agent, call me right away.  Instead of handing my contact information out, its best to call me and I will contact your referral right away.  I will also give them the best customer service experience!  

Is a Little Tolerance Too Much to Ask?

tol·er·ance

noun /ˈtäl(ə)rəns/ 
tolerances, plural

The ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with

- the tolerance of corruption

- an advocate of religious tolerance

I don't know when we became completely inundated with data, opinions, advice, entertainment, rules, regulations, laws, belief systems, religions, ethics, morals, values, sexual orientation, nationalities, languages, school systems, etc. All I know is that there is no such thing as "multi-tasking," consumerism is the devil, more and bigger is not always better, God and family comes first, and all we need is love.

This video is touching.  Our future is in the hands of our youth.  As old and cliche as it may sound, sometimes its best to pull in the reigns a bit and slow down....get back to the basics.  

I can't even believe I'm writing a blog on this topic!  I feel so old!  Its the truth, though.  We have lowered the bar and lowered the bar continuously for so many years that certain standards have vanished.  I'll use the rate of divorce as an example.  And as a side note-I'm divorced.  I note that b/c I'm writing this blog not in judgement or to condemn anyone.  I'm writing on this topic b/c I would like to find a healthy balance between tolerating and standing up for my values-both with love and genuine concern for the future of our children and future generations.

Where is the line between being tolerant and being true to our values?       

Want More Hours in the Day? So Do I!

Do you ever wish you could add just one more hour to the day?  Just enough time to finish that last little project or spend a little more time with the family?  I have to admit, I've had many of those days myself.  I'm no expert on time management or focus, and yet, I've learned small ways that have made big impacts on my days.  Here are some of them:

 1. Prepare for the next day.  What will you wear?  What will the kids and/or significant other wear?  Does anything need ironed, washed, or picked up from the dry cleaners?  Who needs a sack lunch and who will order?  What appointments do I need to prepare for?  Did I pre-set the coffee machine, because its always a better morning when the coffee starts automatically!

• Small things add up to a big deal....especially if you get up at 5am like I do.
• Having the "what are you going to wear today" war with your child the night before is SO much easier than when I'm pressed for time in the wee hours of the morning and haven't had coffee yet.
• When I can just throw on my clothes instead of standing for what seems like hours in front of my closet (in the dark b/c not everyone is up yet...ahem...spouse!), and realizing I have nothing to wear that doesn't need ironed...when I can confidently throw on my outfit for the day, it saves at least 10-15 minutes.  Add that to the "what are you going to wear" war I eliminated and there's an extra 30 minutes I've just gained!
• Many studies have shown that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  I want my kids to have a healthy breakfast instead of a Pop Tart in the car.  That 30 minutes I've just saved myself allows me to prepare a healthy meal for my little ones.  It also allows them time to eat it at the table instead of cramming it down in the car on the way to school.

2. Know what you want to accomplish for the day, week, month, and year.  Start big and work your way down.  This is great timing since we're nearing the end of the year and we're thinking about what we've accomplished and what we'd like to accomplish next year.  Pick a goal...any goal.  Just have something to work towards.  I like the saying that you are a better shopper when you have a list (or something like that).  How do you know how to get there if you don't know where you're going?  That's the same concept.  Each week I reflect back on the past week.  I look at what I've accomplished and what I've let slide.  I evaluate the importance of the goals I've set.  The reason I do that is b/c maybe they're not as important as I thought they were when I first set them.  

• We all have goals.  All of us.  I don't care who you are.  Even if that goal is getting a cup of coffee as soon as we wake up...that's a goal, right?  I find that when I identify some specific goals I feel a sense of accomplishment when I complete them.  Maybe you don't need that.  I certainly do and I know lots of people who, once they began goal setting, felt a wonderful sense of achievement after setting and hitting their goals for the day, week, month, or year. 
• Starting big and breaking it down to the month, week, year, or even day is way less overwhelming and allows me to be very intentional as I chip away at each goal or task.   

3. Tell someone...anyone and preferably a whole bunch of people your goal.  When I tell people my goals, a few things happen.  I put those goals into the universe.  Saying things out loud is very powerful.  Words are so much more powerful than we give them credit for.  Another reason I tell people my goals is so that they will hold me accountable.  Maybe not so much that they will check in on me, but in the back of my mind, I don't want to face people I've shared my goals with and know I haven't accomplished them.  Its accountability from within.  There are people I do ask to hold me accountable by checking in occasionally, but that's b/c I'm sick and I LOVE accountability!  No really, though, accountability isn't a bad thing.  Its actually very wonderful and can be liberating. 

• There are some great goal setting ideas (and even templates) here.
• We are at a time when we are busier and more accessible than ever.  Instead of running around and putting out fires, I feel so much more productive and less like I'm living life on auto pilot when I set specific goals for myself and track them.
• Accountability isn't a bad thing.  Embrace it.  Becomes friends with it!  Its such a wonderful feeling accomplishing goals-both personal and professional.

4. Follow the 80/20 Rule.  The video below explains this rule best:

The fact is, we'll never get more hours in the day.  Our time is limited here and making the best of it is important to me.  I feel so much better about myself when I'm living intentionally.  If I don't have purpose, I feel sort of lost and out of control.  If you like my tips here, stay tuned for more, or contact me here.

I Need Your Help!

In my video below, you will hear a little about the market here in Indianapolis.  I just looked at the stats this afternoon and we are going strong!  It is such a great time for BOTH buyers and sellers!  Sellers, I can't keep properties on the market!  Buyers are snatching them up!  I have open spots for listings right now and I'm ready to get some more properties sold before the end of the year.

WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO IS LOOKING TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY???

Call, text or email me right away if you or someone you know is looking to sell their property before year's end b/c I AM YOUR GIRL!

Interest rates are at ASTONISHING LOWS and PROPERTY VALUES ARE UP!  There's never been a BETTER TIME IN REAL ESTATE!

Contact me right away and Happy Friday! 

"A" is for Apple Orchards!

Crisp air, colorful leaves, pumpkin patches, mums, Halloween, carmel apples...those are just a few of my favorite things about fall in Indianapolis.

Its so fun to see everyone getting outside as often as they can before they settle in for the winter months.  Thanks to Google, I've listed some area orchards below along with their web links.  I plan to get the family out to an orchard this weekend.  There is seriously nothing like fresh carmel apples!

Anderson Orchard

369 County Road 1300 North, Mooresville, IN

(317) 831-4181 ‎ · andersonorchards.com

4 reviews 

Adrian Orchard Inc

500 West Epler Avenue, Indianapolis, IN

(317) 784-0550 ‎ · adrianorchards.com

7 reviews

Stuckey Farm Market

19975 Hamilton-Boone County Line Road, Sheridan, IN

(317) 769-4636 ‎ · stuckeyfarm.com 

3 reviews 

Anderson Orchard Pleasant View

10721 North 850 West, Fairland, IN

(317) 861-4025 ‎ · andersonorchardpv.com

Tuttle Orchards

5717 North 300 West, Greenfield, IN

(317) 326-2278 ‎ · tuttleorchards.com

6 reviews

The Apple Works

8157 South 250, Trafalgar, IN

(317) 878-9317 ‎ · apple-works.com

4 reviews 
Beasley's Orchard & Gardens  

2304 East Main Street, Danville, IN

(317) 745-4876 ‎ · beasleys-orchard.com

2 reviews 

Apple Barn

6256 West Fall Creek Drive, Pendleton, IN

(765) 778-2869 ‎

Gregory's Orchards

997 Indiana 42, Mooresville, IN

(317) 831-3976 ‎

1 review

Apple of His Eye Orchard

3185 Markleville Road, Anderson, IN

(765) 378-6265 ‎ · appleofhiseyeorchard.com

What are your favorite things about fall?  Write them in the comments below and stay tuned for the top 10 Halloween costumes for 2012 and best practices for trick-or-treating. 

 

Seniors on the Move! 3 Quick Tips to Start a Downsizing Adventure!

Don't judge.  I am posting a video of myself here.  I won't tell you how many times it took me to a) film a version I deemed acceptable enough to post here, b) memorize what I actually wanted to say, and c) get through the entire video without bloopers.  This video blogging thing is no joke!

Nonetheless, I've mentioned 3 Quick Tips on downsizing in the video below.  Why do I mention downsizing, one might ask?  According to babyboomer-magazine.com, seniors are the fastest growing demographic, thanks to the aging Baby Boomer generation.  Every 10 seconds, a Baby Boomer turns 65, according to the website!  That's astonishing!

Learning the ropes when it comes to downsizing and working with seniors is urgent and imperative.  My real estate team, the Indy Real Estate Experts, specializes in senior downsizing and relocation.  We take it seriously, we love helping seniors, and we understand and empathize with the downsizing process.  When its time for you or someone you know to downsize, don't wait.  Enjoy my video below and contact me right away b/c its never too early to start planning!